Is Bitcoin compatible with Islam?
Shownotes
In this comprehensive interview recorded on 13 August 2026, host Michael Howe (The Bitcoin Guide) sits down with investor, author, and financial analyst Simon Dixon on the Bitcoin Majlis YouTube channel for a 2-hour and 13-minute deep dive into the intersection of Islamic finance principles, global monetary architecture, and Bitcoin’s role as a tool for financial sovereignty.
Drawing from his 26-year journey in traditional finance and investment banking, Simon Dixon breaks down how the current fiat monetary system is structurally dependent on riba (interest) and debt creation. He explains how this debt-based paradigm drives wealth extraction, centralisation, and global conflicts, contrasting secular economic theory—such as Adam Smith’s "Invisible Hand"—with the moral accountability and ethical trade traditions of the "Open Hand" found in Islamic economics.
Throughout the discussion, Dixon frames Bitcoin as a technological realization of sound money principles that aligned with the Golden Age of Islam. However, he issues a stark warning regarding ongoing efforts by the Financial Industrial Complex (FIC) and Technical Industrial Complex (TIC) to co-opt Bitcoin through centralized custodians, ETFs, and paper derivatives.
The key message of the interview emphasizes the necessity of a "Digital Hijra" and strict self-custody ("holding your own keys") as an essential act of digital resistance and sovereignty.
KEY TOPICS COVERED IN THIS INTERVIEW- Simon Dixon’s Origin Story: 26 years in finance, investment banking, and discovering systemic flaws in money creation.
- The Problem with Riba (Interest): How debt-based money creation incentivizes inflation, debt slavery, and war economies.
- Economics of the "Open Hand": Comparing secular market mechanics with Islamic economic accountability and ethical trade.
- Lessons from the Golden Age of Islam: Hard money standards, Gresham’s Law, and historical monetary preservation.
- Centralization Risks in Bitcoin: How Wall Street, ETFs, and institutional custodians attempt to co-opt decentralized protocols.
- The "Digital Hijra" & Self-Custody: Why holding your own private keys is necessary to preserve individual and community sovereignty.
Simon Dixon will be a keynote speaker at the upcoming Muslim Bitcoin Summit in London on 10 October 2026.
To find out more and register, visit: https://mslmbtcsummit.com/
CONNECT & FOLLOW Official Website: https://simondixon.com/
YouTube Channel: Simon Dixon (@SimonDixon21)
X (Twitter): @SimonDixonTwitt
#islam #bitcoin #muslim #IslamicFinance #BitcoinMajlis #SelfCustody #SimonDixon #HardMoney #FinancialSovereignty #Riba #Crypto